Yamaha has released more detailed information on its upcoming MT-10.
Specifications of the new naked bike, especially its power and torque figures, have been kept under wraps since the bike was unveiled in Milan last November.
We already knew the MT-10 was based on the YZF-R1S, a slightly down spec and cheaper version of the R1 primarily sold into the US.
The MT-10 uses the same main frame, swingarm, suspension and wheels as the R1S, and the engine has been retuned to give better mid-range responsiveness.
The engine in the MT-10 has newly designed intake, exhaust and fuelling systems. It also uses the steel conrods from the R1S rather than the titanium ones used in the standard R1.
Engine performance figures have also been released. The MT-10 powerplant generates 118kW at 11,500rpm and 111nm at 9,000rpm.
The electronics package is very similar but missing the Inertial Measurement Unit.
The MT-10 also has three selectable rider modes, three levels of traction control and ABS. There’s also cruise control, Yamaha’s Slip & Assist clutch, and a full LCD instrument cluster.
Total kerb (wet) weight of the MT-10 is 210kg, up slightly on the R1S.
Some years ago Yamaha seemed to have lost direction in the naked bike category.
The company’s last attempt at a 1000cc naked bike, the FZ1, missed the mark but the MT-10 has been described as the “most remarkable naked bike to be developed by Yamaha so far”.
When released, the MT-10 will enter an already busy market segment. It will compete for buyers with the Suzuki GSX-S1000, Kawasaki’s Z1000, the BMW S1000R, and Triumph’s new Speed Triple S.
The official launch is expected in April, and the European market will be the first to get the MT-10 in May.
The Australian release date and pricing are yet to be announced.